News Releases

Find Polling Place Location, Check Registration and More at MnVotes.org

Posted Date: 10/31/2013

Contact: Nathan Bowie (651) 297-8919

SAINT PAUL, Minnesota — Minnesotans who need to register to vote or update their registration may still do so at their polling place on Election Day, November 5 if they provide proof of residence, such as a driver’s license or other valid documentation that confirms their current name and address. Voters are encouraged to visit the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State at www.MnVotes.org to view the full list of options for proof of residence (also listed below).

MnVotes.org also provides a tool for voters to check if they are registered to vote; voters need to re-register if they have moved, changed names, or if they have not voted in four years.

Another online tool is the polling place finder, which allows voters to find the location and map of their polling place. The application also provides a list of candidates on the ballot. This tool may be especially helpful to voters in areas that are holding only school district elections, as the voting might not be held at the regular polling place.

“Every election is an important one, and we are encouraging everyone to participate in our democracy by voting on November 5,” says Secretary of State Mark Ritchie. “The results from these local elections and school ballot issues have the most direct impact on communities.”

Are You Eligible to Vote?To be eligible to vote you must:

Be a U.S. citizen.

Be at least 18 years old on Election Day.

Have resided in Minnesota for at least 20 days immediately preceding Election Day.

Have any felony conviction completed or discharged.

Not have had voting rights revoked by a court.

Not have been found legally incompetent by a court.

Proof of ResidenceIn order to register on Election Day, eligible voters need to bring proof of residence to the polling place. Voters must bring one of the following items with their current name and address to verify residence in the voting precinct:

Valid student ID card including photo — if college has provided a student housing list to election officials.

Tribal ID card that contains photo and signature.

Valid registration in the same precinct under a different name or address.

Notice of late registration sent by your county auditor or city clerk.

Voter registered in the same precinct who can confirm the voter’s address with a signed oath.

An employee of the residential facility where the voter lives who can confirm address with a signed oath.

Another option for proof of residence is for the voter to bring both a photo ID from the list below and a current bill from the list below that lists the voter’s current name and address in the precinct:

Rent statement dated within 30 days of Election Day that itemizes utilities.

Current student fee statement.

About the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of StateThe Secretary of State is the chief election official in Minnesota and is responsible for the administration of the state’s election law. In this capacity, the office operates the Statewide Voter Registration System and prepares the official roster of voters for every election. The office also accepts filings by candidates, trains local election officials, and conducts voter education and outreach programs.

The Secretary of State is the keeper of the Great Seal of Minnesota and has the role of certifying the authenticity of a wide variety of official documents, including proclamations and executive orders.

A main function of the office is the review, approval and filing of articles of incorporation and amendments for all businesses and nonprofit organizations conducting business in Minnesota. The Secretary of State also processes all notary public applications and administers Safe at Home, an address confidentiality program designed to assist Minnesotans who fear for their safety.